Montana Salmon Fishing

All about fishing for coho and kokanee salmon in MT.

There is a nice variety of salmon fishing in MT. Several major lakes including Ashley Lake, Bull Lake, Deadmans Basin Reservoir, Flathead Lake, Fort Peck Lake, Georgetown Lake, Hauser Lake, Holter Lake, Placid Lake and Whitefish Lake all have populations of salmon. Also try your luck in the tributary rivers that flow into or out of these lakes.

By clicking on the images and links above, you will be taken to a page offering more information about the selected species.

The Montana state record chinook salmon (king) and coho salmon both were caught out of Fort Peck Reservoir. The state record kokanee salmon was pulled from Hauser Lake.

About The Pacific Salmon Family

Pacific Salmon are born in and remain in freshwater streams for the early years of life. The number varies by species. Afterward they migrate to the Pacific Ocean waters where they bulk up and prepare for their once in a lifetime spawning run up the freshwater stream where they were born. They will instinctively return to their birthplace, spawn and die. They are found in the streams which empty into the ocean, and adjoining ocean waters.

The preferred method for catching salmon is fly fishing. Depending on the activity level, salmon may be caught on wet or dry flies. For more details check here for articles about fly fishing.

Learn the life cycle of salmon

The more you know about the life cycle and seasonal migration of salmon, the more likely you are to be looking in the right area next time you visit Montana salmon fishing waters. Visit the salmon fishing page for more information about the life cycle of the different species of salmon.

Contribute MT Salmon Fishing Knowledge

If you have information, articles or photos relating to salmon fishing in Montana, which you would like to see published here, please submit them for consideration.